Leadership Skills Are Essential for College Success by Candace

Leadership Skills Are Essential for College Success by Candace - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership involves envisioning a goal and taking steps to achieve that goal. I must stay focused on my goals despite all the glittery distractions (i.e. prom, social events, etc.) as I head toward the finish line of my last few months as a senior in high school. Next, I will embark on a new adventure: college. For success in the realm of college, it is imperative to employ certain leadership skills.

One such leadership skill is the ability to carve out a path for my future and plant my feet firmly on it, though the end may seem long, arduous, and even appear to be out of reach. This path, a veritable road map for my future, will give me direction, and with it I will avoid wandering aimlessly like a nomad through my future. Though the path will inevitably have twists, turns, and unforeseeable obstacles, when tempted to stray, I will fix my eyes on my goal and ignore any inclination towards self-doubt or resignation. As my goal surely involves a college degree, the requirements of that degree will be my path; therefore, my success in college is dependent upon my adherence to it.

In addition to carving a path, success in college relies upon the leadership skill of prioritization. Time is a limited resource; once lost, it can never be restored. Like most college students, I will be juggling an academic workload, employment, and commitments to friends and family. Thus, it is essential that I rank my to-do list in order of importance. Time, like money, must be budgeted and spent well. For every hour spent in class, two hours must be allotted to study is a common rule of thumb. This guideline will assist me in managing my time and will help me succeed in college.

Like moths are drawn to a flame, leaders have a presence that draws people to them. For success in college, I must let my light shine so that people will want to work with me. No doubt, college will involve group projects and team building. If my persona is that of someone who is withdrawn and needy, people will be less likely to want to work with me. In order to keep a sunny outlook, I must remind myself that some people aren’t lucky enough to attend college because of barriers like financial constraints or lack of mental abilities. For example, my brother Cameron has autism and does not have the mental capacity required for college. Keeping Cameron’s restriction in mind, will help me cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and this positive attitude will not only help draw people to me, but will help me succeed in college. Negativity drains one of their energy and college success requires reserves of energy.

Finally, people skills are a crucial leadership component for success in college. In college, one does not work in isolation. A trend in education is a cooperative learning which requires being an active listener. Acknowledging other people’s opinions, making eye contact when others are talking, and truly listening instead of monopolizing conversations or mentally preparing my own response are all apart of active listening. Similarly, while a professor is teaching, I must actively pay attention and participate in class discussions. To do anything less would be disrespectful. I may need additional help from my professors such as letters of recommendation for a job or admission to graduate school. Hence, I must develop a good rapport with my professors to succeed in college.

As my time to enter college is quickly approaching, making use of leadership skills will determine my success. A course of study must be mapped out, and I must commit myself to it. Time management and the ability to prioritize will be imperative. A positive disposition will help me network with others in order to achieve my goals. Finally, people skills such as active listening must be employed if I am to make it through the experience of college.